Vented Skylight

ABSTRACT

Heat may build up along a skylight disposed in a commercial and/or residential building. A skylight that may minimize heat buildup along transparent material of the skylight may reduce electricity cost and increase the life of the skylight. A skylight assembly may comprise a housing structure, a transparent material, a fan assembly and an opening. A skylight system may comprise a plurality of skylight assemblies, a support, and a plurality of gaskets.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/439,659 filed Dec. 28, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments relate generally to a skylight that may minimize heat buildup along transparent material of the skylight. More particularly, embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for reducing heat building up which may prevent localized air from heating up the area or space serviced by the skylight.

Currently, skylights are disposed in commercial and residential applications. They may be installed within and/or on a roof and/or a wall, to provide natural lighting in a room or space for which it is installed. Skylights allow light to enter into a structure while simultaneously providing a barrier that prevents environmental elements such as rain, excessive sun light, snow, etc. from entering the structure. This may allow occupants of said structure to enjoy a more natural like environment while remaining in a comfortably controlled area within the structure.

Skylights may comprise a transparent material that may range from semitransparent to fully transparent and currently are similar to regular windows installed in a structure. When light from the sun hits a skylight, a portion of the light is reflected off, a portion of the light passes directly through the transparent material, and a portion of the light is absorbed by the transparent material. The light that is absorbed by the transparent material is then converted to thermal energy. Thermal energy may be transferred from one object or system to another in the form of heat. The flow of heat is driven by a temperature gradient. Heat moves from a higher temperature to a lower temperature. The greater the disparity is in temperature, the quicker the heat will flow. As large amounts of light are absorbed by the transparent material, heat may build up along the skylight. The heat built up within the skylight may be transferred to the area surrounding the skylight at a rate based on the temperature difference between the skylight and the area surrounding the skylight. With a large amount of light being absorbed by the skylight, the rate of heat transferred may increase due to the large temperature difference. A large amount of heat transferred to the area surrounding the skylight may greatly increasing the temperature of the air surrounding the skylight. The increased air temperature may negatively affect the materials of the skylight, and in turn reduce the effective life of the skylights. The elevated air temperature may also create more moisture in the air. The moister may enter the skylight, and consequently if the moisture is not removed, it may cause mold to grow around and/or within the skylight. Mold may present a wide variety of health concerns for the humans that occupy the space. Additionally, the increased air temperature in a conditioned space may be cooled by an air conditioner, which may increase electricity cost.

Currently, air conditioning units are being utilized to cool and essentially compensate for the hotter air produced by the skylight within a structure. While this method may correct the problem of elevated air temperatures caused by the skylight, this method may be very costly and inefficient. More energy is required to continuously pump cooler air into the structure to offset the heated air. Removal of trapped heat within the transparent material may prevent increased cooling cost and extend the life of the skylight.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

These and other needs in the art may be addressed in the following embodiments. In one embodiment a skylight assembly may comprise a housing structure, a transparent material, a fan assembly and an opening. A skylight system may comprise a plurality of skylight assemblies, a support, and a plurality of gaskets.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other embodiments for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent embodiments do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These drawings illustrate certain aspects of some of the embodiments of the present invention and should not be used to limit or define the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a skylight assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a housing structure with a base, a cover, and a transparent material; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment wherein a plurality of skylights may be installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments relate generally to a skylight for use in residential and commercial fields. More particularly, embodiments relate to skylights that may be able to remove heat that may be trapped within the skylight. This may prevent the buildup of heat within the structure. In embodiments, the skylight may be constructed to prevent air and outside elements from moving past the skylight and into a structure. The skylight may be constructed in such a manner as to remove the heat absorbed by the transparent material, before it passes through the skylight. In other embodiments, the skylight may remove heat trapped below the skylight within the structure. Advantageously, by removing heat buildup along the skylight, conditioning the space within the structure may be cheaper and it may further prevent degradation of the skylight due to large amounts of heat exposure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a skylight assembly 2. Skylight assembly 2 may comprise a housing structure 4, a transparent material 6, an opening 18, a fan assembly 10, and a plenum 8. In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 may be disposed on a frame (not shown) on roof 38 (shown in FIG. 3). In an embodiment, the frame may be a curb. In another embodiment, skylight assembly 2 may be disposed directly on roof 38 (shown in FIG. 3). In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 may be disposed in and/or on a wall of a commercial and/or residential structure (not shown). In an embodiment, housing structure 4 may comprise any suitable material capable of withstanding environmental conditions for a given application. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, metal, aluminum, an alloy, a composite material, plastic, and/or any combination thereof. Housing structure 4 may be of any suitable length, width, and height. In an embodiment, the length of housing structure 4 may not exceed four feet, the width of housing structure 4 may not exceed four feet, and the height of housing structure 4 may not exceed four feet. It should be noted that housing structure 4 may be of any suitable length, width, and height less than or equal to four feet. One skilled in the art, with the present disclosure, would be capable of choosing the correct dimensions of housing structure 4 for a given application. Housing structure 4 may be any suitable shape. Suitable shapes may include, but are not limited to, a square, a rectangle, a circle, a triangle, a hexagon, a pentagon, an octagon and the like.

Disposed within housing structure 4 may be transparent material 6. In an embodiment, transparent material 6 may be permanently attached within housing structure 4. Alternatively, transparent material 6 may be semi-permanently installed within housing structure 4. Housing structure 4 may contain groves within the walls of housing structure 4, for which transparent material 6 may be slid into and secured within housing structure 4. Transparent material 6 may be secured within housing structure 4 by any suitable method. In an embodiment, transparent material 6 may be secured within housing structure 4 by way of a gasket (not shown). Optionally, transparent material 6 may be secured within housing structure 4 by way of a sealant composition, any suitable sealant composition may be used. Transparent material 6 may be of any suitable thickness, size, or shape. Transparent material 6 may be semitransparent, fully transparent, translucent, and/or opaque. Transparent material 6 may be of varying degrees of transparency and/or translucency. In an embodiment, transparent material 6 may also be described as translucent material. Transparent material 6 may be of any suitable material. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, glass, plastic, ceramic, plexiglass, acrylic, polycarbonate, composite, the like, and/or any combination thereof. Furthermore, transparent material 6 may comprise a single layer or a plurality of layers. Each layer of transparent material 6 may be solid, fluted, honey comb, and/or the like. In an embodiment, a plurality of layers of transparent material 6 may be separated by a spacer (not shown). Spacer (not shown) may be used to allow air to be pulled between solid layers of transparent material 6. Additional materials may be applied to transparent material 6 that may provide a wide variety of functions such as, but not limited to, reduce glare, prevent and/or reduce condensation, prevent or reduce dirt collection, reflect infrared light, prevent shattering, and/or the like.

Housing structure 4 may also comprise plenum 8. Plenum 8 may be disposed on housing structure 4 in any suitable location. In an embodiment, plenum 8 may be disposed at the top of housing structure 4, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In embodiments, plenum 8 may be disposed along the sides and/or the bottom of housing structure 4. In an embodiment, plenum 8 may comprise an aperture (not shown) and/or a plurality of apertures (not shown). The aperture and/or the plurality of apertures may be any suitable shape and size capable of ejecting the air drawn across transparent material from housing structure 4. The air may be ejected by any suitable manner. Without limitation, there may be a plurality of plenums 8, which may be disposed at any location along housing structure 4. A fan assembly 10 may be disposed in plenum 8. In embodiments, fan assembly 10 may comprise a motor, a fan, and a power source (not illustrated). Without limitation, fan assembly 10 may be disposed at any location within plenum 8. In embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, skylight assembly 2 may comprise fan assembly 10 that may be disposed in housing structure 4. In this embodiment, fan assembly 10 may be disposed at any location within housing structure 4. Any suitable fan assembly 10 capable of drawing the total volume of air across the surface of transparent material 6 at a rate of approximately three to four times per minute to approximately twelve to sixteen times per minute may be used. Fan assembly 10 may be any suitable size or shape. Any suitable fan assembly 10 may be used. Suitable fan assembly 10 may include, but is not limited to, an axial fan assembly, a centrifugal fan assembly, a crossflow fan assembly, and the like. Fan assembly 10 may be wirelessly and/or directly connected to analysis control unit (not shown).

In an embodiment, an analysis control unit (not shown) may control the operation of skylight assembly 2. Without limitation, the analysis control unit may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, the analysis control unit may be a personal computer, a network storage device, smart phone or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. In embodiments, the analysis control unit may be a laptop. Analysis control unit not shown may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of analysis control unit (not shown) may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communication with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The analysis control unit may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

Certain examples of the present disclosure may be implemented at least in part with non-transitory computer-readable media. For the purposes of this disclosure, non-transitory computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Non-transitory computer-readable media may include, for example, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk drive), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such as wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves, and other electromagnetic and/or optical carriers; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Fan assembly 10 may comprise a power source (not illustrated) that may supply power to fan assembly 10. Without limitation, the power source may be a battery disposed within skylight assembly 2. In embodiments, there may be a plurality of batteries disposed within skylight assembly 2 at any suitable location. Furthermore, the power source may attach fan assembly 10 to a second power source supplied by the structure in which skylight assembly 2 may be attached. This may allow an operator to control fan assembly 10 within the structure. Additionally, the power source may be a solar cell or a plurality of solar cells that may harness light to power fan assembly 10. Without limitation, fan assembly 10 may comprise a power source that may be powered by batteries, secondary power sources, solar cells, or any combination thereof.

Fan assembly 10 may run continuously or periodically as need. Fan assembly 10 may be manually operated. In an embodiment, analysis control unit (not shown) may be connected to power switch located on skylight assembly 2. An operator may send a signal from the analysis control unit to the power switch (not shown) activating or deactivating fan assembly 10. In an embodiment, fan assembly 10 may be automated. Fan assembly 10, may be activated by a sensor (not illustrated). The sensor may be disposed within housing structure 4 or at a location apart from housing structure 4. The sensor may be operable to determine the temperature within the structure and along transparent material 6. At a preselected temperature, the sensor may activate fan assembly 10, which may move air along transparent material 6 until the temperature sensor reads a different preselected temperature which deactivates fan assembly 10. In an embodiment, there may be a plurality of sensors distributed along transparent material 6. The plurality of sensor may transmit data collected back to the analysis control unit. The analysis control unit may then read the data and convert it into a readable form. The operator may then activate or deactive fan assembly 10 based on the data readings. In an embodiment, the analysis control unit may read the data collected by the plurality of sensors and then activate or deactivate fan assembly without the input of an operator. The analysis control unit may continuously collect sensor readings or may periodically collect them at predetermined times. When activated, fan assembly 10 may draw air across transparent material 6. In an embodiment, air may be drawn from opening 18 by fan assembly 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, housing structure 4 may also comprise opening 18. Opening 18 may be disposed at any suitable location along housing structure 4 opposite of fan assembly 10. Opening 18 may be of any suitable size and/or shape capable of allowing air to be drawn through housing structure 4 via fan assembly 10. In an embodiment, there may be a plurality of openings 18 disposed at suitable locations along housing structure 4 and/or plenum 8 subject to the outside environment. Such disposition may allow outside air to be drawn across transparent material 6 to remove the built-up heat from the surface of transparent material 6. In an embodiment, openings 18 may be protected from environmental elements by an overhang (not shown) attached to an edge of housing structure 4. In another embodiment, the overhang may be an extension of housing structure 4. In embodiments, openings 18 may be disposed below transparent material 6 and within the air-conditioned structure. Openings 18 may further comprise a back-draft damper, not illustrated. As heat builds up below transparent material 6, the back-draft damper disposed on openings 18 may operate to allow the heat to pass through. Once the heat has passed through the back-draft dampers, the cooler air pressure may allow for the back-draft dampers to close, preventing air-conditioned air from escaping. In embodiments, fan assembly 10 may interact with the back-draft dampers. For example, activating fan assembly 10 may cause the back-draft dampers to open, which may allow for fan assembly 10 to pull air from below transparent material 6 and through the back-draft dampers.

FIG. 2 illustrates a broken-down view of housing structure 4 and transparent material 6. In an embodiment, housing structure 4 may comprise a base 12 and top 16. Base 12 and top 16 may be connected in any suitable manner. In an embodiment, top 16 may rest on the edges of base 12. In another embodiment, base 12 may fit inside of top 16. In this embodiment, top 16 may comprise an overhang (not shown) that may shield opening 18 (shown in FIG. 1) from environmental elements without obstructing air flow. Optionally, top 16 may fit inside base 12 wherein base 12 may comprise the overhang that may shield opening 18 (shown in FIG. 1) from environmental elements without obstructing air flow. Transparent material 6 may be disposed between base 12 and top 16. Transparent material may be secured within housing structure 4 by any suitable manner. Base 12 may be disposed on roof 38 (shown in FIG. 3). The roof 38 may be a commercial or residential roof. Base 12 may be disposed on any suitable roof 38. Additionally, base 12 may be disposed on or in a wall of a commercial or residential building. In an embodiment, transparent material 6 may further comprise cover 14. In another embodiment, cover 14 may be secured to top 16, thereby enclosing transparent material 6 and base 12 preventing the exposure of transparent material 6 to environmental elements. In an embodiment, cover 14 may act as a barrier between the components disposed within housing structure 4 and environmental elements. Cover 14 may be of any suitable size, thickness, and shape. Cover 14 may comprise any suitable material. Suitable materials may include, but are not limited to, neoprene, plastic, glass, acrylic, cloth, the like, and/or any combination thereof.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of skylights 34 which may be installed within or on roof 38. In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 may be installed with a plurality of skylights 34. In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 and/or a plurality of skylights 34 may be disposed on a frame (not shown) on roof 38. In an embodiment, the frame may be a curb. In another embodiment, skylight assembly 2 and/or a plurality of skylights 34 may be disposed directly on roof 38. In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 and/or a plurality of skylights 34 may be disposed in and/or on a wall of a structure (not shown). The wall of structure may be a wall of a commercial or residential structure. An apparatus wherein a plurality of skylights 34 may be installed or disposed on roof 38 or the wall of structure may comprise, a plurality of skylights 34, a support 30, gaskets 32, and analysis control unit (not shown). Each skylight assembly 2 may operate independently from one another. Each skylight assembly may be connected to a single the analysis control unit or multiple analysis control units (not shown). Skylight assembly 2 may be installed within a commercial or residential structure in any suitable location that may be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In an embodiment, each skylight assembly 2 may be attached to a support 30. In an embodiment, skylight assembly 2 may be attached to support 30 in any suitable manner that may not obstruct the flow of air through skylight assembly 2. In an embodiment, support 30 may be disposed on and/or within roof 38. In an embodiment, support 30 may be disposed on and/or within a wall of a structure (not shown). Any suitable support 30 may be used. In a non-limiting example, support 30 may be a perling, a C channel, a MC Channel, a box channel, an L bracket, an I-beam, a H-beam, a W-beam, and the like. In an embodiment, support 30 may take the form of an elongated beam. Support 30 may be made of any suitable metal. In a non-limiting example, support 30 may be steel, alloy, carbon steel, aluminum, iron, composites, masonry, nickel, copper, tin, lead, the like, and/or any combination thereof. Support 30 may be any suitable size and shape to support a plurality of skylight assemblies 2.

In an embodiment, a plurality of skylight assemblies 2 may be connected to one another via a gasket 32. Any suitable gasket 32 may be used. In a non-limiting example, gasket 32 may be a sheet gasket, a solid material gasket, a spiral-wound gasket, a constant seating stress gasket, a double-jacketed gasket, a kammprofile gasket, a fishbone gasket, a flange gasket, and/or the like. Gasket 32 may be any suitable material including, but not limited to, rubber, silicone, metal, cork, felt, neoprene, nitrile rubber, fiberglass, polytetrafluoroethylene, a plastic polymer such as polychlorotrifluoroethylene, the like, and/or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, more than one type of gasket may be used in a system comprising a plurality of skylights 34, a support 30, gaskets 32, and the analysis control unit.

The foregoing figures and discussion are not intended to include all features of the present techniques to accommodate a buyer or seller, or to describe the system, nor is such figures and discussion limiting but exemplary and in the spirit of the present techniques. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A skylight assembly comprising; a housing structure; a transparent material; a fan assembly; and an opening.
 2. The skylight assembly of claim 1, further comprising an analysis control unit.
 3. The skylight assembly of claim 2, wherein the fan assembly is manually activated.
 4. The skylight assembly of claim 2, wherein the analysis control unit controls a power source connected to the fan assembly.
 5. The skylight assembly of claim 4, wherein the analysis control unit controls the power source of the fan assembly based on a sensor measurement.
 6. The skylight assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor disposed on the transparent material.
 7. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly is located opposite the opening.
 8. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly draws trapped heat across the transparent material.
 9. The skylight assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plenum.
 10. The skylight assembly of claim 9, wherein the plenum comprises an opening.
 11. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein the opening is subject to the outside environment.
 12. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent material is solid, fluted, and/or honey combed.
 13. The skylight assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover.
 14. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly further comprises a back-draft damper.
 15. The skylight assembly of claim 1, wherein there is a plurality of layers of the transparent material.
 16. A skylight system comprising: a plurality of skylight assemblies; a support; and a plurality of gaskets.
 17. The skylight system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of skylight assemblies are secured to the support.
 18. The skylight system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of skylight assemblies are connected to one another by at least one gasket.
 19. The skylight system of claim 16, wherein each skylight assembly operates independently from one another.
 20. The skylight system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of skylight assemblies are operated by an analysis control unit. 